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Changes to legislation:

Courts Act 2003,
Part 2
is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 24 May 2018. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Changes and effects

This section lists the changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act, associated Parts and Chapters where applicable. This includes any insertions of whole new Parts, Chapters or provisions yet to be inserted into this Act. These effects are included in this view as they may be (but won’t necessarily be) relevant to the specific provision that you are viewing.

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

Commencement Orders yet to be applied to the Courts Act 2003

Commencement Orders

This section lists the commencement orders yet to be applied to the whole Act. These effects are included in this view as they may be (but won’t necessarily be) relevant to the specific provision that you are viewing. Where applicable the commencement orders are listed under two headings, firstly those that bring some part of the Act you are viewing into force and secondly, those that bring into force legislation that affects some part of the legislation you are viewing. If you are viewing a prospective version or there is a prospective version available there may be commencement orders listed here that are relevant to the provision you are viewing.

(c)unless the alteration consists only of a change of name, any local authorities whose area includes the local justice area or a part of the local justice area.

(7)“Local authority” means—

(a)any council of a county, a county borough, a London borough or a council of a district,

(b)the Common Council of the City of London, or

[F3(c)a police and crime commissioner or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.]

[F4(8)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

Lay justicesE+W

9Meaning of “lay justice”E+W

In this Act “lay justice” means a justice of the peace who is not a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).

10Appointment of lay justices etc.E+W

(1)Lay justices are to be appointed for England and Wales by the [F5Lord Chief Justice] by instrument on behalf and in the name of Her Majesty.

[F6(1A)Subject to the following provisions of this section and to sections 11 to 15, a person appointed under subsection (1) is to hold and vacate office as a justice of the peace in accordance with the terms of the person's appointment, which are to be such as the Lord Chancellor may determine.]

(a)must assign each lay justice to one or more local justice areas, and

(b)may change an assignment so as to assign the lay justice to a different local justice area or to different local justice areas.

[F8(2ZA)The Lord Chief Justice must ensure that arrangements for the exercise, so far as affecting any local justice area, of the function under subsection (1) include arrangements for consulting persons appearing to the Lord Chief Justice to have special knowledge of matters relevant to the exercise of that function in relation to that area.]

[F9(2A)The Lord Chancellor must ensure that arrangements for the exercise, so far as affecting any local justice area, of functions under [F10subsection ] (2) include arrangements for consulting persons appearing to him to have special knowledge of matters relevant to the exercise of those functions in relation to that area.]

(3)Every lay justice is, by virtue of his office, capable of acting as such in any local justice area (whether or not he is assigned to it); but he may do so only in accordance with arrangements made by [F11Lord Chief Justice] .

(4)Rules may make provision about the training courses to be completed before a person may exercise functions as a lay justice in any proceedings or class of proceedings specified in the rules.

(5)Subsection (3) is subject to section 12 (the supplemental list).

[F12(6)The functions conferred on the Lord Chief Justice by subsections (2) and (3) may be exercised only after consulting the Lord Chancellor.

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

11Resignation and removal of lay justicesE+W

(2)The Lord Chancellor may [F15, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] remove a lay justice from his office by an instrument on behalf and in the name of Her Majesty—

(a)on the ground of incapacity or misbehaviour,

(b)on the ground of a persistent failure to meet such standards of competence as are prescribed by a direction given by the Lord Chancellor [F16with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice] , or

(c)if he is satisfied that the lay justice is declining or neglecting to take a proper part in the exercise of his functions as a justice of the peace.

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

12The supplemental listE+W

(1)A list, to be known as “the supplemental list”, must be kept in the office of the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery.

(2)A lay justice whose name is entered in the supplemental list is not qualified as a justice of the peace to do any act or to be a member of a committee or other body.

(3)No act or appointment is invalidated by reason of the disqualification of a lay justice under subsection (2).

13Entry of names in the supplemental listE+W

(1)Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the name of a lay justice who has reached 70 must be entered in the supplemental list.

(2)The name of a lay justice who, when he reaches 70, is chairman of the lay justices assigned to a local justice area need not be entered in the supplemental list until the term for which he is serving as chairman has ended.

(3)Where—

(a)proceedings are, or are expected to be, in progress on the day on which the lay justice reaches 70, and

(b)the lay justice is exercising functions in those proceedings as a justice of the peace,

the [F17Lord Chief Justice may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor,] direct that the name of the lay justice need not be entered in the supplemental list until the proceedings have ended.

(4)The name of a lay justice must be entered in the supplemental list if—

(a)he applies for it to be entered, and

(b)the application is approved by the Lord Chancellor.

(5)The Lord Chancellor may [F18, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] direct that the name of a lay justice is to be entered in the supplemental list on the ground of incapacity.

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

14Removal of names from the supplemental listE+W

(1)A person’s name must be removed from the supplemental list if he ceases to be a justice of the peace.

(2)A person’s name must be removed from the supplemental list if—

(a)his name is in the list as a result of section 13(4) or (5), and

(b)the Lord Chancellor [F20, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] directs its removal.

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

(5)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

(a)subject to subsection (3), as to the term of office of the chairman and deputy chairmen, and

(b)as to the number of deputy chairmen to be elected for any area.

(3)The [F24Lord Chief Justice may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor,] authorise a lay justice to continue to hold office as chairman or deputy chairman for the purposes of specified proceedings which are, or are expected to be, in progress on the day on which the lay justice’s office would otherwise end.

(4)Any contested election for choosing the chairman or a deputy chairman is to be held by secret ballot.

(5)Rules may make provision for the purposes of this section and may in particular make provision—

(a)about the procedure for nominating candidates for election as a chairman or a deputy chairman;

(b)about the procedure at such an election.

[F25(6)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

18Rights to preside and size of benchE+W

(1)If the chairman for a local justice area is present at a sitting or other meeting of lay justices assigned to or acting in the area, he must preside.

(2)If, in the absence of the chairman, one or more of the deputy chairmen for a local justice area is present at a sitting or other meeting of lay justices assigned to or acting in that area he (or the most senior of them) must preside.

(3)Neither subsection (1) nor subsection (2) applies if, in accordance with rules, the chairman or (as the case may be) the deputy chairman asks another of the lay justices to preside.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not confer on the chairman or a deputy chairman a right to preside in court if, under rules, he is ineligible to do so.

(5)Subsections (1) and (2) do not confer on the chairman or a deputy chairman a right to preside—

(b)at meetings of a committee or other body of justices of the peace which has its own chairman, or

(c)at sittings when a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) is engaged as such in administering justice.

(6)Rules may make provision for the purposes of subsections (3) and (4) and may in particular make provision—

(a)as to training courses to be completed by lay justices before they may preside in court,

(b)as to—

(i)the approval of lay justices, in accordance with the rules, before they may preside in court,

(ii)the lay justices who may be so approved, and

(iii)the courts to which the approval relates, and

(c)as to circumstances in which a lay justice may preside in court even though requirements imposed under paragraph (a) or (b) are not met in relation to him.

(7)Rules may also make provision—

(a)specifying the maximum number of lay justices who may sit to deal with a case as a magistrates' court, and

(b)as to the arrangements to be made for securing the presence on the bench of enough, but not more than enough, lay justices.

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

Supplementary provisions about the benchE+W

19Training, development and appraisal of lay justicesE+W

(1)Rules may (in addition to making provision under sections 10(4) and 18(6)) make provision for, or in connection with, the training, development and appraisal of lay justices.

(2)Such rules may make provision for committees, constituted in accordance with the rules, to have such functions as may be specified in the rules, including, in particular—

(a)providing advice and support to lay justices in connection with their functions as lay justices;

(b)identifying the training needs of lay justices;

(c)appraising lay justices and reporting on the results of appraisals;

(d)giving or withholding approval for the purposes of section 18;

(e)advising the [F27Lord Chief Justice] in relation to authorisations of lay justices as [F28judges of the family court or as members of] youth courts;

(f)granting or revoking such authorisations on behalf of the [F27Lord Chief Justice] .

(3)The [F29Lord Chief Justice] must ensure that [F30training and training materials that appear to him, after consulting the Lord Chancellor, to be appropriate] are provided for lay justices with a view to enabling them to comply with requirements as to training imposed by rules under section 10 or 18 or this section.

[F31(4)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

[F37(3)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions of making the rules referred to in this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

(1)The Lord Chancellor [F39and the Lord Chief Justice] must take all reasonable and practicable steps—

(a)for ensuring that lay justices acting in a local justice area are kept informed of matters affecting them in the performance of their duties, and

(b)for ascertaining their views on such matters.

[F40(2)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)E+W

22Appointment etc.E+W

(1)Her Majesty may, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, appoint a person who [F41satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 5-year basis] to be a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).

(2)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) must, before acting as such, take the oath of allegiance and judicial oath in accordance with the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) and the Promissory Oaths Act 1871 (c. 48).

(3)The Lord Chancellor may pay to a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) such allowances as he may determine.

(4)Any such allowances are in addition to the salary charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund under section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1973 (c. 15).

(5)The Lord Chancellor may [F42, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] remove a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) from office on the ground of incapacity or misbehaviour.

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

23Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate)E+W

(a)may designate one of the District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) to be Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate), and

(b)if [F44she] does so, may designate another of them to be the deputy of the Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate).

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

24Deputy District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)E+W

(1)The [F45Lord Chief Justice] may appoint a person who [F46satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 5-year basis] to be a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) for such period as the Lord Chancellor considers appropriate (but subject to subsection (4)).

(2)A Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) must, before acting as such, take the oath of allegiance and judicial oath in accordance with the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 and the Promissory Oaths Act 1871.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may pay to a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) such remuneration and allowances as he may determine.

[F47(4)A person may be removed from office as a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts)—

(a)only by the Lord Chancellor with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice, and

(b)only on—

(i)the ground of inability or misbehaviour, or

(ii)a ground specified in the person's terms of appointment.

(4A)Subject to subsection (4B), the period of a person's appointment under this section (including a period already extended under this subsection) must be extended by the Lord Chancellor before its expiry.

(4B)Extension under subsection (4A)—

(a)requires the person's agreement,

(b)is to be for such period as the Lord Chancellor considers appropriate, and

(c)may be refused on—

(i)the ground of inability or misbehaviour, or

(ii)a ground specified in the person's terms of appointment,

but only with any agreement of the Lord Chief Justice, or a nominee of the Lord Chief Justice, that may be required by those terms.

(4C)Subject to the preceding provisions of this section (but subject in the first place to the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993), a person appointed under this section is to hold and vacate office as a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) in accordance with the terms of the person's appointment, which are to be such as the Lord Chancellor may determine.

(5)During the period of his appointment, a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts)—

(a)is to act as a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), and

(b)is to be treated for all purposes (apart from appointment, tenure, remuneration, allowances and pensions) as if he were a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

25District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) as justices of the peaceE+W

(1)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) is by virtue of his office a justice of the peace for England and Wales.

(2)It is the duty of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) to act as a justice of the peace in any local justice area in accordance with arrangements made by [F48the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor] .

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

26District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) able to act aloneE+W

(a)requiring a magistrates' court to be composed of two or more justices, or

(b)limiting the powers of a magistrates' court when composed of a single justice,

applies to a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).

(2)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) may—

(a)do any act, and

(b)exercise alone any jurisdiction,

which can be done or exercised by two justices, apart from granting or transferring a licence.

(3)Any enactment making provision ancillary to the jurisdiction exercisable by two justices of the peace also applies to the jurisdiction of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), unless the provision relates to granting or transferring a licence.

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

Justices' clerks and assistant clerksE+W

27Justices' clerks and assistant clerksE+W

(b)designated by the Lord Chancellor [F51, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] as a justices' clerk.

(2)A person may be designated as a justices' clerk only if he—

(a)has a 5 year magistrates' court qualification,

(b)is a barrister or solicitor who has served for not less than 5 years as an assistant to a justices' clerk, or

(c)has previously been a justices' clerk.

(3)The Lord Chancellor—

(a)must [F52, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] assign each justices' clerk to one or more local justice areas, and

(b)subject to [F53subsections (4A) to (4C)] , may change an assignment so as to assign the justices' clerk to a different local justice area or to different local justice areas.

[F54(4A)The Lord Chancellor may change an assignment of a justices' clerk so that he is no longer assigned to a local justice area (“the relevant area”) only if the conditions in subsections (4B) and (4C) are met.

(4B)Before changing the assignment, the Lord Chancellor must consult—

(a)the chairman of the lay justices assigned to the relevant area, or

(b)if that is not possible or not practicable, the deputy chairman or such of the lay justices assigned to or acting in the relevant area as it appears to the Lord Chancellor appropriate to consult.

(4C)The Lord Chief Justice must agree to the change.]

(5)An assistant to a justices' clerk is a person who is—

(a)appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 2(1) or provided under a contract made by virtue of section 2(4), and

(b)designated by the Lord Chancellor as an assistant to a justices' clerk.

(6)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations provide that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed by the regulations, a person may be designated as an assistant to a justices' clerk only if he—

(a)has a 5 year magistrates' court qualification, or

(b)has such qualifications as may be prescribed by, or approved by the Lord Chancellor in accordance with, the regulations.

[F55(6A)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

(7)In this Part “assistant clerk” is short for “assistant to a justices' clerk”.

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

28FunctionsE+W

(1)Rules may make provision enabling things authorised to be done by, to or before a single justice of the peace to be done instead by, to or before a justices' clerk.

(2)Rules may also make provision enabling things authorised to be done by, to or before a justices' clerk (whether by virtue of subsection (1) or otherwise) to be done instead by, to or before an assistant clerk.

[F56(2A)Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to functions of a justices' clerk given under section 31O(1)(a), or specified in section 31O(2), of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (functions in the family court, but see section 31O(1)(b) of that Act).]

(3)An enactment or rule of law which—

(a)regulates the exercise of any jurisdiction or powers of justices of the peace, or

(b)relates to things done in the exercise or purported exercise of any such jurisdiction or powers,

applies in relation to the exercise or purported exercise of any such jurisdiction or powers by a justices' clerk by virtue of subsection (1) as if he were a justice of the peace.

(4)The functions of a justices' clerk include giving advice to any or all of the justices of the peace to whom he is clerk about matters of law (including procedure and practice) on questions arising in connection with the discharge of their functions, including questions arising when the clerk is not personally attending on them.

(5)The powers of a justices' clerk include, at any time when he thinks he should do so, bringing to the attention of any or all of the justices of the peace to whom he is clerk any point of law (including procedure and practice) that is or may be involved in any question so arising.

[F57(5A)For the purposes of subsections (1) to (5) the functions of justices of the peace do not include functions as a judge of the family court.]

(6)For the purposes of subsections (4) and (5) the functions of justices of the peace do not include functions as a judge of the Crown Court.

(7)Subsections (4) and (5) do not limit—

(a)the powers and duties of a justices' clerk, or

(b)the matters on which justices of the peace may obtain assistance from their clerk.

(8)In this section “rules” means rules made by the Lord Chancellor [F58with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice] .

(9)Before making any rules for the purposes of this section the Lord Chancellor must consult—

[F62(10)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

29IndependenceE+W

(b)a function specified in section 28(4) or (5) (advice on matters of law, including procedure and practice), or

(c)a function as a member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee or the Family Procedure Rule Committee,

is not subject to the direction of the Lord Chancellor or any other person.

(2)An assistant clerk who is exercising any such function is not subject to the direction of any person other than a justices' clerk.

Places, dates and times of sittingsE+W

30Places, dates and times of sittingsE+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may [F63, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] give directions as to the places in England and Wales at which magistrates' courts may sit.

(2)In exercising his powers under subsection (1), the Lord Chancellor shall have regard to the need to ensure that court-houses are accessible to persons resident in each local justice area.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice, give directions as to the distribution and transfer of the general business of magistrates' courts between the places specified in directions under subsection (1).

(4)Directions under subsection (3) may, in particular, contain provision that, where a person is charged with an offence and is being required to appear before a magistrates' court, the place where he is required to appear is one of the places described in subsection (5).

(5)The places are—

(a)a place in the local justice area in which the offence is alleged to have been committed;

(b)a place in the local justice area in which the person charged with the offence resides;

(c)a place in the local justice area in which the witnesses, or the majority of the witnesses, reside;

(d)a place where other cases raising similar issues are being dealt with.

(7)The Lord Chancellor may [F65, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] give directions as to the days on which and times at which magistrates' courts may sit.

(8)Subject to any directions under subsection (7), the business of magistrates' courts may be conducted on any day and at any time.

[F66(9)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (1) or (7).]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

Protection and indemnification of justices and justices' clerksE+W

31Immunity for acts within jurisdictionE+W

(1)No action lies against a justice of the peace in respect of what he does or omits to do—

(a)in the execution of his duty as a justice of the peace, and

(b)in relation to a matter within his jurisdiction.

(2)No action lies against a justices' clerk or an assistant clerk in respect of what he does or omits to do—

(a)in the execution of his duty as a justices' clerk or assistant clerk exercising, by virtue of an enactment, a function of a single justice of the peace, and

(b)in relation to a matter within his jurisdiction.

32Immunity for certain acts beyond jurisdictionE+W

(1)An action lies against a justice of the peace in respect of what he does or omits to do—

(a)in the purported execution of his duty as a justice of the peace, but

(b)in relation to a matter not within his jurisdiction,

if, but only if, it is proved that he acted in bad faith.

(2)An action lies against a justices' clerk or an assistant clerk in respect of what he does or omits to do—

(a)in the purported execution of his duty as a justices' clerk or assistant clerk exercising, by virtue of an enactment, a function of a single justice of the peace, but

(b)in relation to a matter not within his jurisdiction,

if, but only if, it is proved that he acted in bad faith.

33Striking out proceedings where action prohibitedE+W

(1)If an action is brought in circumstances in which section 31 or 32 provides that no action lies, a judge of the court in which the action is brought may, on the application of the defendant, strike out the proceedings in the action.

(2)If a judge strikes out proceedings under subsection (1), he may if he thinks fit order the person bringing the action to pay costs.

34Costs in legal proceedingsE+W

(1)A court may not order a justice of the peace to pay costs in any proceedings in respect of what he does or omits to do in the execution (or purported execution) of his duty as a justice of the peace.

(2)A court may not order—

(a)a justices' clerk, or

(b)an assistant clerk,

to pay costs in any proceedings in respect of what he does or omits to do in the execution (or purported execution) of his duty as a justices' clerk or assistant clerk exercising, by virtue of an enactment, a function of a single justice of the peace [F67or a function of the family court or of a judge of that court].

(3)But subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to any proceedings in which a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk—

(a)is being tried for an offence or is appealing against a conviction, or

(b)is proved to have acted in bad faith in respect of the matters giving rise to the proceedings.

(4)A court which is prevented by subsection (1) or (2) from ordering a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk to pay costs in any proceedings may instead order the Lord Chancellor to make a payment in respect of the costs of a person in the proceedings.

(a)circumstances in which a court must or must not exercise the power conferred on it by subsection (4), and

(b)how the amount of any payment ordered under subsection (4) is to be determined.

[F69(6)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

35IndemnityE+W

(1)“Indemnifiable amounts”, in relation to a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk, means—

(a)costs which he reasonably incurs in or in connection with proceedings in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in the exercise (or purported exercise) of his duty as a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk,

(b)costs which he reasonably incurs in taking steps to dispute a claim which might be made in such proceedings,

(c)damages awarded against him or costs ordered to be paid by him in such proceedings, or

(d)sums payable by him in connection with a reasonable settlement of such proceedings or such a claim.

(3)The Lord Chancellor must indemnify a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk in respect of—

(a)indemnifiable amounts which relate to criminal matters, unless it is proved, in respect of the matters giving rise to the proceedings or claim, that he acted in bad faith, and

(b)other indemnifiable amounts if, in respect of the matters giving rise to the proceedings or claim, he acted reasonably and in good faith.

(4)The Lord Chancellor may indemnify a justice of the peace, justices' clerk or assistant clerk in respect of other indemnifiable amounts unless it is proved, in respect of the matters giving rise to the proceedings or claim, that he acted in bad faith.

(5)Any question whether, or to what extent, a person is to be indemnified under this section is to be determined by the Lord Chancellor.

(6)The Lord Chancellor may, if the person claiming to be indemnified so requests, make a determination for the purposes of this section with respect to—

(a)costs such as are mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b), or

(b)sums such as are mentioned in subsection (1)(d),

before the costs are incurred or the settlement in connection with which the sums are payable is made.

(7)But a determination under subsection (6) before costs are incurred—

(a)is subject to such limitations (if any) as the Lord Chancellor thinks proper and to the subsequent determination of the costs reasonably incurred, and

(b)does not affect any other determination which may fall to be made in connection with the proceedings or claim in question.

Fines officers and designated officersE+W

36Fines officersE+W

Any reference in an enactment to a fines officer is to a person who is—

(a)appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 2(1) or provided under a contract made by virtue of section 2(4), and

A function given by or under an enactment to a fines officer as such is to be taken for the purposes of section 2(5) (ban on contracting-out of judicial functions) as not involving the making of judicial decisions and as not involving the exercise of any judicial discretion.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

37Designated officers and magistrates' courtsE+W

(1)Any reference in an enactment to the designated officer, in relation to a magistrates' court, justice of the peace or local justice area, is to a person who is—

(a)appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 2(1) or provided under a contract made by virtue of section 2(4), and

(b)designated by the Lord Chancellor in relation to that court, justice of the peace or area.

(2)In this section “magistrates' court” includes—

(a)a committee of justices, and

(b)when exercising a function exercisable by one or more justices of the peace—

(i)a justices' clerk, and

(ii)an assistant clerk.

Application of receipts of magistrates' courts etc.E+W

38Application of receipts of designated officersE+W

(1)The following are to be paid to the Lord Chancellor—

(a)fines imposed by a magistrates' court,

(b)sums which—

(i)become payable by virtue of an order of a magistrates' court, and

(ii)are by an enactment made applicable as fines (or any description of fines) imposed by a magistrates' court, and

(c)all other sums received by—

(i)a designated officer for a magistrates' court, or

(ii)a designated officer for a local justice area,

in his capacity as such.

(2)“Fine” includes—

(a)any pecuniary penalty, pecuniary forfeiture or pecuniary compensation payable under a conviction, and

(b)any pecuniary forfeiture on conviction by, or under any order of, a magistrates' court so far as the forfeiture is converted into or consists of money.

(3)For the purposes of this section anything done by the Crown Court on appeal from a magistrates' court is to be treated as done by the magistrates' court.

(4)Any sums received by the Lord Chancellor under this section are to be paid by him into the Consolidated Fund.

39Limits to requirements about application of receiptsE+W

(1)Section 38(1) is subject to section 139 of the 1980 Act (sums paid on summary conviction applied for payment of compensation and costs).

(2)Paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 38(1) do not apply to sums which, by or under any enactment, are directed to be paid to—

(a)the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, or

(b)officers of, or persons appointed by, the Commissioners.

(3)Those paragraphs also do not apply to sums which, by or under any enactment, are directed—

(a)to be paid to or for the benefit of—

(i)the party aggrieved or injured or a person described in similar terms, or

(ii)the family or relatives of a person described in any such terms or of a person dying in consequence of an act or event which constituted or was the occasion of an offence,

(b)to be applied in making good any default or repairing any damage or reimbursing any expenses (other than those of the prosecution), or

(c)to be paid to any person, if the enactment refers in terms to awarding or reimbursing a loss or to damages, compensation or satisfaction for loss, damage, injury or wrong.

(4)Paragraph (c) of section 38(1) does not apply to—

(a)sums to which a person other than the Lord Chancellor is by law entitled and which are paid to that person, or

(b)sums received by a designated officer on account of his salary or expenses as such.

(5)Any sum paid to the Lord Chancellor by virtue of paragraph (c) of section 38(1) is to be paid to him subject to being repaid to any person establishing his title to it.

40Regulations about payments, accounting and banking by designated officersE+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may, with the concurrence of the Treasury, make regulations—

(a)as to the times at which, and the manner in which, a designated officer is to pay sums payable by him in his capacity as such to the Lord Chancellor or any other person,

(b)requiring the keeping of accounts by designated officers in respect of sums received by them,

(c)as to the production, inspection and audit of accounts required to be kept, and

(d)requiring designated officers to use—

(i)specified banking arrangements or facilities, or

(ii)banking arrangements or facilities of a specified description,

in relation to sums received by them.

(2)Regulations under this section may make different provision in relation to different descriptions of designated officer.

MiscellaneousE+W

41Disqualification of lay justices who are members of local authoritiesE+W

(1)A lay justice who is a member of a local authority may not act as a member of the Crown Court or a magistrates' court in proceedings brought by or against, or by way of an appeal from a decision of—

(a)that local authority,

(b)a committee or officer of that local authority, or

(c)if that local authority is operating executive arrangements (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22))—

(i)the executive of that local authority (within the meaning of that Part), or

(ii)any person acting on behalf of that executive.

(2)A lay justice who is a member of the Common Council of the City of London may not act as a member of the Crown Court or a magistrates' court in proceedings brought by or against, or by way of an appeal from a decision of—

(d)[F72the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority,][F72the London Fire Commissioner,]

(e)a joint authority established under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51),

[F73(ea)an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009,

(eb)a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act,]

(f)a National Park Authority,

(g)the Broads Authority, or

(h)a housing action trust established under Part 3 of the Housing Act 1988 (c. 50).

[F74(7)In the application of this section to the London Fire Commissioner, the reference in subsection (1) to a member of the local authority is to the person who is for the time being the Commissioner.]

Annotations:

Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.

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